AU704442B2

AU704442B2 - Fuel pretreater apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: AU704442B2
Application number: AU43635/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Pantone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-07
Filing date: 1995-11-06
Publication date: 1999-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2015-11-06
Also published as: NO972075D0; CA2204760A1; AU4363596A; RU2168029C2; JPH10508672A; EP0793771A4; NZ298207A; BR9509623A; CN1171834A; KR970707368A; WO1996014501A1; EP0793771A1; NO972075L

Description

FUEL PRETREATER APPARATUS AND METHOD Background Field of the Invention This invention relates to fuel burning apparatus such as internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to a fuel pretreater apparatus and method.

The Prior Art The internal combustion engine has been in existence for over 100 years and has been the subject of numerous patents relating to various aspects of its design, operation, etc. A significant proportion of these patents relate to the fuel system particularly as to the handling, vaporization, and distribution of the fuel into the respective combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. In light of the S: extreme sophistication of the current trend in internal combustion engines, not only for S•o• fuel economy but also for reduction in the emitted pollutants, great care is taken in the Sselection of the fuel grade particularly as to its quality prior to its introduction into the 15 internal combustion engine.

The internal combustion engine is a preferred source of mechanical energy due to its portability, its relatively compact size, and the amount of mechanical energy it @000 oproduces versus its total weight. However, there are numerous sources of potential fuel for the internal combustion engine that are either essentially wasted through inappropriate utilization or simply ignored as a fuel source due to the nature of the o material. For example, conventionally, one does not consider crude oil or recycled o materials such as motor oil, cleaning solvents, paint thinner, alcohol, and the like, as a suitable fuel source for an internal combustion engine.

o In view of the foregoing, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a 25 fuel pretreated apparatus and method for enabling an internal combustion engine to Soutilise as a fuel an alternative fuel such as crude oil or recycled materials such as motor oils, cleaning solvents, paint thinners, alcohols, and the like. An even further advancement in the art would be to provide a fuel pretreater apparatus and method whereby a portion of the exhaust from the internal combustion engine is recycled into the intake of the internal combustion engine along with the pretreated alternate fuel.

Summary of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

[N:\LIBLL]02360: keh:lam 1 There is disclosed herein a pretreater apparatus for pretreating an alternate fuel to provide a suitable fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the apparatus including: an exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected in fluid communication with the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine to receive exhaust from the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum at said second end of said exhaust conduit; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum, said volatilization chamber receiving thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; volatilization means for volatilizating said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; exhaust bypass means for diverting a portion of said exhaust from said exhaust conduit through said alternate fuel; removal means for removing said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber; a reactor tube mounted in said exhaust conduit through which the volatilized alternate fuel flows; 20 a reactor rod mounted in the reactor tube around which the volatilized alternate fuel flows as it flows through the reactor tube, the space between the reactor rod and the reactor tube through which the volatilized alternate fuel flows forming a reaction zone; and inlet means for directing said reacted fuel into the intake system of the internal o 25 combustion engine.

•ooo 0 There is further disclosed herein a fuel pretreater for pretreating an alternate fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the pretreater including: an exhaust conduit, said exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, 30 said first end being coupled in fluid communication to the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum mounted to said exhaust conduit at said second end; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum; [N:\LIBLL]02360:keh: lam ~--~-31111111 an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber, said alternate fuel being heated by thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; exhaust bypass means for diverting a portion of the exhaust in said exhaust conduit through said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; a reactor tube mounted in said exhaust conduit through which the volatilized alternate fuel flows; a reactor rod mounted in the reactor tube around which the volatilized alternate fuel flows as it flows through the reactor tube, the space between the reactor rod and the reactor tube through which the volatilized alternate fuel flows forming a reaction zone; inlet means in said volatilization chamber for directing said volatilized alternate fuel to said reactor zone; and fuel conduit means for directing said volatized alternate fuel from said reactor zone to the fuel intake system of the internal combustion engine.

There is still further disclosed herein a method for pretreating an alternate fuel to make it usable in an internal combustion engine including the steps of: •selecting an alternate fuel; placing said alternate fuel in a volatilization chamber; enclosing said volatilization chamber in an exhaust plenum; 20 volatilization said alternate fuel by passing exhaust from the internal :0o• combustion engine through said exhaust plenum, said exhaust plenum transferring thermal energy from said exhaust to said volatilization chamber and said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber, said thermal energy volatilizating said alternate fuel; .000 °carrying said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber by 25 diverting a portion of said exhaust into said volatilization chamber; pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel by passing said volatilized alternate S. fuel through a reactor tube with a reactor rod mounted therein to form a reaction zone 000 between the reactor rod and the reactor tube, said reactor tube being mounted so that OS000 exhaust heats said reactor tube to produce a pretreated alternate fuel; and S0 30 directing said pretreated alternate fuel into the internal combustion engine.

000000 There is still further disclosed herein a pretreater apparatus for pretreating an alternate fuel to provide a suitable fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal N:\LIBLL02360: keh:lam combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the apparatus including: an exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected in fluid communication with the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine to receive exhaust from the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum at said second end of said exhaust conduit; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum, said volatilization chamber receiving thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; volatilization means for volatilizating said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; exhaust bypass means including a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber for diverting a portion of said exhaust from said exhaust conduit and bubbling it through said alternate fuel in the volatilization chamber; removal means for removing said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber; 0°o°00 0 S• reacting zone means in said exhaust conduit for reacting said volatilized S alternate fuel to produce a reacted fuel; and 0 0 20 inlet means for directing said reacted fuel into the intake system of the internal 0 combustion engine.

There is still further disclosed herein a fuel pretreater for pretreating an alternate fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the pretreater including: 0°•25 an exhaust conduit, said exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, S said first end being coupled in fluid communication to the exhaust system of the internal 00 combustion engine; an exhaust plenum mounted to said exhaust conduit at said second end; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum; .30 an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber, said alternate fuel being heated by thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; [N:\LIBLLJO23 60: keh: lam exhaust bypass means including a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber for diverting a portion of the exhaust in said exhaust conduit and bubbling it through said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; reactor zone means in said exhaust conduit for pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel; inlet means in said volatilization chamber for directing said volatilized alternate fuel to said reactor zone means; and fuel conduit means for directing said volatilized alternate fuel from said reactor zone means to the fuel intake system of the internal combustion engine.

There is still further disclosed herein a method for pretreating an alternate fuel to make it useable in an internal combustion engine including the steps of: selecting an alternate fuel; placing said alternate fuel in a volatilization chamber; enclosing said volatilization chamber in an exhaust plenum; volatilizing said alternate fuel by passing exhaust from the internal combustion S. engine through said exhaust plenum, said exhaust plenum transferring thermal energy from said exhaust to said volatilization chamber and said alternate fuel in said S volatilization chamber, said thermal energy volatilizing said alternate fuel; carrying said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber by S 2o bubbling a portion of said exhaust through a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber so that said portion of the exhaust bubbles through the alternative fuel in the volatilization chamber; pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel by passing said volatilized alternate fuel through a reaction chamber to produce a pretreated alternate fuel; and 25 directing said pretreated alternate fuel into the internal combustion engine.

There is still further disclosed herein a pretreater apparatus for pretreating fuel SS to provide a suitable fuel for combustion in fuel burning apparatus, the apparatus having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the apparatus including: 0: 0 an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust system of the fuel 3o burning apparatus to receive exhaust from the fuel burning apparatus; a volatilization chamber for volatilizing said fuel in said volatilization chamber; [N:\LIBLL023 60: keh: lam 3C said volatilization chamber being positioned with respect to the exhaust conduit for receiving thermal energy from exhaust passing through the exhaust conduit; a reactor tube mounted in said exhaust conduit through which the volatilized fuel flows; a reactor rod mounted in the reactor tube around which the volatilized fuel flows as it flows through the reactor tube, the space between the reactor rod and the reactor tube through which the volatilized fuel flows forming a reaction zone; and inlet means for directing said reacted fuel into the intake system of the fuel burning apparatus.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the fuel pretreater apparatus shown in the environment of an internal combustion engine; and Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a schematic of the reactor portion of the fuel pretreater of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment 0 General Discussion The present invention is an apparatus and method for pretreating fuel for an 2o internal combustion engine, the pretreatment making it possible for the internal combustion engine to utilise as its fuel source fuels that are generally considered as not being suitable fuels for an internal combustion 0 *0 0 0 0O 0 0 0 o• 0• IN:\LIBLL] 02360:keh:lam WO 96/14501 PCT/US95/14383 engine. These alternate fuels include almost any liquid hydrocarbon such as crude oil or recycled materials such as motor oil, solvents, paint thinners, and various alcohols, to name several. Importantly, the alternate fuel is volatilized and then subjected to a high temperature environment prior to its being introduced into the intake system of the internal combustion engine. Currently, it is not known precisely what happens to the volatilized alternate fuel in this high temperature environment although one speculation is that the larger molecules are broken down into smaller molecular subunits of the heavy molecules.

In any event, I have found that I am able to satisfactorily operate an internal combustion engine using as my fuel source materials generally considered to be totally unsuitable as fuels for an internal combustion engine. For example, in one experimental run I was able to successfully operate an internal combustion engine using recycled motor oil. In another experimental run I was able to operate the internal combustion engine using crude oil as my sole fuel source.

However, I should state at this point that in order to generate sufficient thermal energy necessary to volatilize the alternate fuel in the volatilization chamber, it is necessary to operate the internal combustion engine initially using ordinary gasoline. This step is necessary since, absent my unique pretreatment process, it is impossible to operate an internal combustion engine with the alternate fuels that I am using.

Accordingly, the internal combustion engine is started and operated for an initial period until sufficient thermal energy has been generated in order to initiate the volatilization and thermal pretreatment processes. Once these processes are self sustaining, the fuel system is switched over from the gasoline system to the alternate fuel system. The internal combustion engine continues to operate for as long as the alternate fuel is supplied or until the internal combustion engine is switched off.

Detailed Description Referring now to Figure 1, the novel fuel pretreater apparatus of this invention is shown generally at 10 and includes WO 96/14501 PCT/US95/14383 a volatilization chamber 12 and a fuel pretreater section 14 incorporated into an exhaust conduit 16. Volatilization chamber 12 is enclosed in an exhaust plenum 17 through which a stream of exhaust 18 passes. Exhaust 18 is produced by an internal combustion engine 20 which can be any suitable internal combustion engine ranging in size from a small, one-cylinder internal combustion engine to a large, multicylinder internal combustion engine. Internal combustion engine 20 is shown herein schematically particularly since no claim is made to an internal combustion engine, per se, only to the novel fuel pretreater apparatus 10 shown and claimed herein.

Internal combustion engine 20 includes a fuel tank 22 which supplies a starting fuel 24 and has a valve 26 for controlling the flow of fuel 24 through a fuel line 28 into an intake manifold 29. Fuel 24 enters internal combustion engine through an intake manifold 29 either through carburetion or fuel injection (not shown), both of which are conventional systems for introducing fuel 24 into internal combustion engine 20 and are, therefore, not shown herein but only indicated schematically through the depiction of intake manifold 29. Fuel 24 is ordinary gasoline and provides the necessary starting fuel for internal combustion engine 20 until sufficient thermal energy has been produced in order to sustain the operation of volatilization chamber 12 and pretreater section 14. Thereafter, valve 26 is closed and internal combustion engine 20 is operated as will be discussed more fully hereinafter. Internal combustion engine produces exhaust 18 which is collected from internal combustion engine 20 by an exhaust manifold 30. Exhaust 18 is then directed through exhaust conduit 16 into fuel pretreater 10 where it provides the necessary thermal energy for the operation of fuel pretreater Exhaust 18b represents a portion of exhaust 18 and passes through plenum chamber 17 surrounding volatilization chamber 12 prior to exiting exhaust conduit 16. Exhaust 18b represents the residual portion of exhaust 18 since a bypass 40 diverts a portion of exhaust 18 (shown as exhaust 18a) into volatilization chamber 12. Plenum chamber 17 acts as a heat exchanger for -6transferring thermal energy from exhaust 18b to volatilization chamber 12. A valve 42 controls the amount of exhaust 18a diverted into volatilization chamber 12.

Volatilization chamber 12 receives a quantity of alternate fuel 60 through a fuel line 62 from an alternate fuel source 63 with the flow thereof being controlled by a valve 64. Alternate fuel 60 accumulates as a pool of alternate fuel 60 in the bottom of volatilization chamber 12. Bypass 40 directs exhaust 18a into the bottom of the pool of alternate fuel 60 where a bubble plate 44 disperses exhaust 18a upwardly into the pool of alternate fuel 60 in order to assist in the volatilization of alternate fuel 60. However, the primary source of thermal energy for the volatilization of alternate fuel 60 is supplied by exhaust 18b as it passes through plenum chamber 17. The volatilized alternate fuel 60 is shown as volatilized fuel 66 which passes into an inlet 51 which is the end of reactor tube 52 extending upwardly into volatilization chamber 12.

Referring also to Figure 2, an enlarged segment of pretreater section 14 is shown generally as a reactor 50 which includes a reactor tube 52 located concentrically inside exhaust conduit 16. A reactor rod 54 is mounted "concentrically in spaced relationship inside reactor tube 52 to provide an annular O20 space or reaction chamber 56. As shown, exhaust 18 passes through an annular space 51 surrounding reactor tube 52 where it transfers a portion of its thermal energy to reactor tube 52. Volatilized fuel 66 passes counter currently through the annular space of reaction chamber 56. The turbulent mixing of volatilized fuel 66 as it passes through reactor 50 in combination with the thermal energy e 25 imparted to it from exhaust 18 along with what is believed to be a catalytic 000 reaction therein initiated by reactor rod 54 produces a pretreated fuel 68.

Pretreated fuel 68 is then directed through an intake line 53 (which is an extension of reactor tube 52) into intake manifold 29. A valve 57 in intake line 53 controls the flow of pretreated fuel 68 into intake manifold 29. Supplemental air 80 is introduced into pretreated fuel 68 through an air intake 82 with the flow Sof supplemental air 80 being controlled by a valve 84.

[N:\LIBT]24384:JED WO 96/14501 PCT/US95/14383 Steady state operation of internal combustion engine involves exhaust 18 contributing thermal energy to reactor A portion of exhaust 18 is diverted as exhaust 18a and bubbled through the pool of alternate fuel 60 in the bottom of volatilization chamber 12. Exhaust 18a combines with the volatilized fuel from alternate fuel 60 to provide volatilized fuel 66. Volatilized fuel 66 is drawn into inlet 51 thence through reaction chamber 56 of reactor tube 52. The balance of exhaust 18b passes through plenum chamber 17 where a substantial portion of the balance of the thermal energy in exhaust 18b is transferred into alternate fuel 60 to assist in the volatilization of the same.

The Method The method of this invention is practiced by starting internal combustion engine 20 using starting fuel 24 obtained from starting fuel tank 22. The flow of starting fuel 24 through fuel inlet line 28 is controlled by valve 26. Valve 84 is opened initially to allow the free flow of air 80 through air intake 82 during this starting phase of internal combustion engine Internal combustion engine 20 generates exhaust 18 which is collected in exhaust manifold 30 where it is then directed into exhaust conduit 16. Exhaust 18 contains a significant amount of thermal energy resulting from the combustion of starting fuel 24 in internal combustion engine 20. A portion of the thermal energy in exhaust 18 is used to heat reactor 50 and then to volatilize alternate fuel 60. Specifically, exhaust 18a is diverted through exhaust bypass line 40 into volatilization chamber 12 where exhaust 18a is dispersed by bubble plate 44 into alternate fuel 60. Exhaust 18a transfers its thermal energy to alternate fuel 60 and also provides a carrier stream for the volatilized products of alternate fuel 60 so that this combination becomes volatilized alternate fuel 66 which is then drawn into intake 51. At this point it should be noted also that valve 84 is partially closed in order to create a partial vacuum in pretreated fuel line 53, which means that a partial vacuum will also be created in intake 51. Simultaneously, valves 42 and

C*

S

S.

C

0

*SS

C.

e g g e.

0O C. 0 0 S 00@e

C

S C -8- 57 are selectively controlled in order to suitably recirculate the flow of exhaust 18a and volatilized alternate fuel 66, respectively. In the meantime, the balance of exhaust 18 becomes exhaust 18b which passes through plenum chamber 17 where it transfers its thermal energy into volatilization chamber 12 and alternate fuel 60 therein. Accordingly, a major portion of the balance of thermal energy in exhaust 18 after exhaust 18 has passed through reactor 50 is transferred into alternate fuel 60 for the volatilization of the same.

Volatilized alternate fuel 66 is directed into reaction chamber 56 where it is subjected to the pretreatment process of this invention by becoming reaction fuel 67 and then pretreated fuel 68. At the present time I am unable to state with any degree of certainty precisely what happens to reaction fuel 67 in reaction chamber 56. However, I have found that the larger molecules in volatilized fuel 66 are broken into fragments while some possible reaction occurs between these fragments and the portion of recycled exhaust 18a that is carried over in volatilized fuel 66. Specifically, I have found that a portion of the length of reactor 50 becomes quite hot, substantially hotter than could otherwise be accounted for from the thermal energy from exhaust 18 alone. This surplus thermal energy implies that some form of reaction is occurring in reaction fuel 20 67 as it is transformed into pretreated fuel 68. Pretreated fuel 68 is directed into intake manifold 29 where it becomes the fuel source for internal combustion engine The change over from starting fuel 24 to pretreated fuel 68 is accomplished by the careful adjustment of valves 26, 84, 57 and 42. In this 25 manner, the operation of internal combustion engine 20 is smoothly transferred from sole reliance on starting fuel 24 to reliance entirely on pretreated fuel 68.

Using the novel teachings of this invention, I have run internal combustion engine 20 on alternate fuel 60 selected from materials generally considered to be totally unsuitable as a fuel for internal combustion engine 20. These alternate fuels have included crude oil and recycled materials such as motor oil, paint thinners, alcohols and the like.

[N:\LIBT]24384:JED Accordingly, fuel pretreater 10 is a novel discovery in that it allows me to successfully operate internal combustion engine 20 using alternate fuels As such, I am able to achieve several highly desirable goals, namely, the extraction of valuable mechanical energy from alternate fuel 60 while at the same time removing alternate fuel 60 from the waste stream; or, in the case of crude oil, using this material directly thereby eliminating the need to subject the same to the expensive and capital intensive refining processes.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

O•

00

OS

O

0 *r 4 0 0 0 0e 0~ 0 US 0 0

OOO

00 S .me [N:\LIBT]24384:JED

Claims

1. A pretreater apparatus for pretreating an alternate fuel to provide a suitable fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the apparatus including: an exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected in fluid communication with the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine to receive exhaust from the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum at said second end of said exhaust conduit; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum, said volatilization chamber receiving thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; volatilization means for volatilizating said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; exhaust bypass means for diverting a portion of said exhaust from said exhaust conduit through said alternate fuel; removal means for removing said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber; al 4 a reactor tube mounted in said exhaust conduit through which the volatilized :20 alternate fuel flows; p a reactor rod mounted in the reactor tube around which the volatilized alternate fuel flows as it flows through the reactor tube, the space between the reactor rod and the reactor tube through which the volatilized alternate fuel flows forming a reaction zone; and 25 inlet means for directing said reacted fuel into the intake system of the internal combustion engine.

2. The pretreater apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said exhaust bypass means includes a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber for bubbling said exhaust diverted into said volatilization chamber. e. 30

3. The pretreater apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said reactor tube is mounted coaxially and in spaced relationship in said exhaust conduit, and said reactor rod is mounted coaxially and in spaced relationship in said reactor tube, said spaced ,elationship between said reactor rod and said reactor tube forming the reaction zone. IN:\LIBLL 102360:keh:lam ~II~

4. The pretreater apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said alternate fuel is selected from a hydrocarbon other than a conventional fuel, said hydrocarbon being selected from the group consisting of crude petroleum, used paint thinner, used motor oil, and organic solvents.

The pretreater defined in claim 4 wherein said alternate fuel includes a supply of said alternate fuel.

6. The pretreater apparatus defined in claim 1 including control means for selectively controlling each of said exhaust bypass means, said removal means, and said inlet means.

7. The pretreater apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said volatilization means includes said thermal energy and said portion of said exhaust.

8. A fuel pretreater for pretreating an alternate fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the pretreater including: an exhaust conduit, said exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled in fluid communication to the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum mounted to said exhaust conduit at said second end; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum; ••20 an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber, said alternate fuel being heated by thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; ~exhaust bypass means for diverting a portion of the exhaust in said exhaust conduit through said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; a reactor tube mounted in said exhaust conduit through which the volatilized 25 alternate fuel flows; 0•a reactor rod mounted in the reactor tube around which the volatilized alternate fuel flows as it flows through the reactor tube, the space between the reactor rod and Sthe reactor tube through which the volatilized alternate fuel flows forming a reaction 00000• e. zone; 30 inlet means in said volatilization chamber for directing said volatilized alternate S fuel to said reactor zone; and fuel conduit means for directing said volatized alternate fuel from said reactor Rzone to the fuel intake system of the internal combustion engine. [N:\LIBLL]02360:keh:lam

9. The fuel pretreater defined in claim 8 wherein said reactor tube is coaxially mounted in spaced relationship in said exhaust conduit, and said reactor rod is coaxially mounted in spaced relationship inside said reactor tube, said spaced relationship between said reactor tube and said reactor rod comprising the reactor zone for pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel.

The fuel pretreater defined in claim 8 wherein said exhaust bypass means includes a bubble plate for bubbling said portion of the exhaust through said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber.

11. A method for pretreating an alternate fuel to make it useable in an internal combustion engine including the steps of: selecting an alternate fuel; S: •placing said alternate fuel in a volatilization chamber; enclosing said volatilization chamber in an exhaust plenum; o volatilization said alternate fuel by passing exhaust from the internal 15 combustion engine through said exhaust plenum, said exhaust plenum transferring •thermal energy from said exhaust to said volatilization chamber and said alternate fuel SS in said volatilization chamber, said thermal energy volatilizating said alternate fuel; S•carrying said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber by diverting a portion of said exhaust into said volatilization chamber; pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel by passing said volatilzed alternate fuel through a reactor tube with a reactor rod mounted therein to form a reaction zone between the reactor rod and the reactor tube, said reactor tube being mounted so that S exhaust heats said reactor tube to produce a pretreated alternate fuel; and e •.°directing said pretreated alternate fuel into the internal combustion engine. •00•0 00

12. The method defined in claim 11 wherein said carrying step includes o bubbling said portion of said exhaust through said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber.

13. The method defined in claim 11 wherein said reactor rod is placed coaxially inside said reactor tube in spaced relationship.

14. The method defined in claim 13 wherein said preparing step includes providing an exhaust conduit between the internal combustion engine and said exhaust plenum and interposing said reactor tube coaxially in spaced relationship inside said 7 exhaust conduit.

IN:\LIBLL]02360:keh:lam -13- The method defined in claim 11 wherein said pretreating step includes controlling said portion of said exhaust and said pretreated alternate fuel to the internal combustion engine.

16. A pretreater apparatus for pretreating an alternate fuel to provide a suitable fuel for an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the apparatus including: an exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected in fluid communication with the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine to receive exhaust from the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum at said second end of said exhaust conduit; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum, said volatilization o chamber receiving thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; S• an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; 015 volatilization means for volatilizating said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; 0exhaust bypass means including a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber for diverting a portion of said exhaust from said exhaust conduit and bubbling it through said alternate fuel in the volatilization chamber; removal means for removing said volatilized alternate fuel from said S•volatilization chamber; reacting zone means in said exhaust conduit for reacting said volatilized S• alternate fuel to produce a reacted fuel; and inlet means for directing said reacted fuel into the intake system of the internal combustion engine.

17. A fuel pretreater for pretreating an alternate fuel for an internal S° combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the pretreater including: an exhaust conduit, said exhaust conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled in fluid communication to the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine; an exhaust plenum mounted to said exhaust conduit at said second end; a volatilization chamber interposed in said exhaust plenum; [N:\LIBLL102360:keh:lain -14- an alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber, said alternate fuel being heated by thermal energy from an exhaust passing through said exhaust plenum; exhaust bypass means including a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber for diverting a portion of the exhaust in said exhaust conduit and bubbling it through said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber; reactor zone means in said exhaust conduit for pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel; inlet means in said volatilization chamber for directing said volatilized alternate fuel to said reactor zone means; and fuel conduit means for directing said volatilized alternate fuel from said reactor zone means to the fuel intake system of the internal combustion engine.

18. A method for pretreating an alternate fuel to make it useable in an internal combustion engine including the steps of: S° selecting an alternate fuel; Si 15 placing said alternate fuel in a volatilization chamber; "enclosing said volatilization chamber in an exhaust plenum; .00o. volatilizing said alternate fuel by passing exhaust from the internal combustion engine through said exhaust plenum, said exhaust plenum transferring thermal energy from said exhaust to said volatilization chamber and said alternate fuel in said volatilization chamber, said thermal energy volatilizing said alternate fuel; carrying said volatilized alternate fuel from said volatilization chamber by o. S bubbling a portion of said exhaust through a bubble plate in said volatilization chamber so that said portion of the exhaust bubbles through the alternative fuel in the volatilization chamber; S 25 pretreating said volatilized alternate fuel by passing said volatilized alternate fuel through a reaction chamber to produce a pretreated alternate fuel; and ooo directing said pretreated alternate fuel into the internal combustion engine.

19. A pretreater apparatus for pretreating fuel to provide a suitable fuel for combustion in fuel burning apparatus, the apparatus having a fuel intake system and an exhaust system, the apparatus including: an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust system of the fuel burning apparatus to receive exhaust from the fuel burning apparatus; [N:\LIBLL]02360: ke h:lam a volatilization chamber for volatilizing said fuel in said volatilization chamber; said volatilization chamber being positioned with respect to the exhaust conduit for receiving thermal energy from exhaust passing through the exhaust conduit; a reactor tube mounted in said exhaust conduit through which the volatilized fuel flows; a reactor rod mounted in the reactor tube around which the volatilized fuel flows as it flows through the reactor tube, the space between the reactor rod and the reactor tube through which the volatilized fuel flows forming a reaction zone; and inlet means for directing said reacted fuel into the intake system of the fuel burning apparatus.

A pretreater apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A fuel pretreater substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15

22. A method for pretreating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. S DATED this Tenth Day of February 1999 Paul Pantone 20 Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON *o o •oo•• [N:\LIBLL]02360:keh:lam